Inside the latest issue of Passenger Transport

Inside the latest issue of Passenger Transport

Issue 330 of Passenger Transport is published on February 7. Contents include:     LEAD STORY A world of opportunity Ahead of National Apprenticeship Week, the passenger transport sector is highlighting what it offers   NEWS ‘Bridge to franchising’ to test Welsh approach Authorities in mid-Wales agree to become franchising...
A world of opportunity

A world of opportunity

Ahead of National Apprenticeship Week, the passenger transport sector is highlighting what it offers   Apprentices at First Bus   Employers in the passenger transport sector have been using National Apprenticeship Week (February 10-16) to highlight the importance of apprenticeships to their businesses and their work to support them. To...
Aviation is in  the ascendancy

Aviation is in the ascendancy

  The prime minister and chancellor seem willing to ignore climate concerns in the hope that airport expansion can deliver growth   An artists impression of how Heathrow Airport could look after the opening of a new runway   “There is no more important challenge than the climate emergency. That’s...
Do you love or loathe company away days?

Do you love or loathe company away days?

  Away days can inspire and motivate teams and help to build strong and successful cultures – but they can also go spectacularly wrong   The level of debate and passion around customer service from Megabus and Citylink staff was fabulous   In the last couple of weeks, I’ve facilitated...
Wrightbus aims for ‘white label’ growth

Wrightbus aims for ‘white label’ growth

Wrightbus has partnered with Chinese manufacturers to launch Rightech, a new brand that will offer ‘white label’ zero-emission vehicle solutions   The Rightech RB9 (left) and RB6 (right) have been sourced from Chinese manufacturer King Long   By Andrew Garnett If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em, and Ballymena-based bus...
Office investment to support INIT growth

Office investment to support INIT growth

German-based transport technology specialist is expanding its UK operations following capture of Transport for London iBus contract   Left to right: Matthias Kuehn INIT chief operating officer, Megan Powell Vreeswijk, chief executive of Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, Jens Mullak and Juergen Greschner INIT chief corporate offiver cut the ribbon at...
An environment to flourish and learn

An environment to flourish and learn

  With its own bespoke academy, ‘if you want to be an apprentice engineer within the bus industry, First Bus is the place to be’   New First Bus engineering apprentice cohort 2024   First Bus is proud to offer engineering apprenticeships as our commitment to developing future talent and...
Trailblazing apprenticeships  - and stotties

Trailblazing apprenticeships – and stotties

  Open access rail companies are proving the industry isn’t one-size-fits-all. Ahead of National Apprenticeship Week, Karl Holbrook explores how Lumo and Hull Trains are breaking down barriers, boosting diversity, and bringing fresh perspectives to rail…   Apprenticeship success stories: Sam Bentley (left) and Mark Rudd The rail industry has...
Green technology, green skills

Green technology, green skills

  Fast-growing Wrightbus employs more than 70 apprentices, and is aiming to recruit a further 60   Wrightbus chief executive Jean-Marc Gales (left) with apprentice recruits   Apprentices are part of the lifeblood of Wrightbus – the innovative Northern Ireland-based manufacturer that is one of the leading names in zero-emission...
Celebrating apprenticeships

Celebrating apprenticeships

  The passenger transport sector is showcasing success in delivering apprenticeships ahead of National Apprenticeship Week 2025   LNER apprentice train driver Aleena Phull   Key players in the passenger transport sector will use National Apprenticeship Week 2025 (February 10-16) to showcase the work they are doing to attract new...
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Great British Railways to unite TOC retailing

Great British Railways to unite TOC retailing

Once GBR is established by legislation, individual train operator websites will be replaced, but the private sector ‘will continue to play a key role’   Government will rollout a single online retail platform for rail ticketing   Individual train operator websites across England, Scotland and Wales will be replaced by a single online retail platform...
Wrightbus reports a strong start to 2025

Wrightbus reports a strong start to 2025

Ballymena-based firm delivers 200 buses in first month of 2025   1,200 buses expected to leave production lines this year   Wrightbus, the Ballymena-based bus manufacturer, has announced its strongest start to a year, with nearly 200 buses entering service across the UK and Europe in January alone. The company expects 2025 to be a...
South Yorkshire eyes modal shift measures

South Yorkshire eyes modal shift measures

CPT welcomes recognition of need to change travel habits   Route 120 bus in Sheffield   South Yorkshire is considering bold measures to encourage motorists out of their cars and onto public transport.  Road user charging, workplace parking levies and reallocating road space away from private cars to buses are among the ideas put forward...
An agonisingly slow tram renaissance

An agonisingly slow tram renaissance

  Over the past three decades trams have been returning to the UK streets – but the process is a protracted and expensive one   Trams in the French city of Dijon. Across the channel the return of light rail has been much more rapid   In 1992, Manchester’s city centre once again reverberated to...
Tackling the scourge of crime on buses

Tackling the scourge of crime on buses

  Bus-related violence seems to be getting worse. A concerted effort by transport and crime prevention authorities is urgently required   Safety officers on patrol to tackle anti-social behaviour on the buses in the West Midlands   Eight days into 2025 and there were two murders on the UK bus network. On January 7, 14-year-old...
Realising the Bee Network Vision

Realising the Bee Network Vision

Greater Manchester has heralded a new era in public transport after bringing all of its bus services into the Bee Network this month. Becoming the first area in England to complete the re-regulation of buses is an historic moment for Greater Manchester – and beyond. To mark the completion of this complex transition – which...
‘Blazing a trail for the future of bus services’

‘Blazing a trail for the future of bus services’

As the snow fell on January 5, the third and final tranche of Greater Manchester’s buses joined the publicly-controlled Bee Network. A landmark moment for buses in the region, and beyond     Following a phased approach, all bus services in Greater Manchester – totalling 577 routes, 1,600 buses and accounting for more than 160...
Concerns raised over impact of open access

Concerns raised over impact of open access

Heidi Alexander suggests operators are not paying their way   Alexander: ‘Open access can create pressure on the network’   Rail Partners has responded to a letter from transport secretary Heidi Alexander urging the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to adopt stricter criteria for approving new open access rail applications. Alexander’s letter to ORR...
West Midlands lifts the lid on franchising plans

West Midlands lifts the lid on franchising plans

Consultation is the first step that could see the first bus services in the West Midlands under public control by 2027. Andrew Garnett reports   Richard Parker launched the consultation in Coventry   West Midlands mayor Richard Parker has launched a consultation on plans to franchise the region’s bus network. The consultation will remain open...
Transport’s three malign influences

Transport’s three malign influences

  I have identified three negative influences that have held transport back, or led it in the wrong direction, through the decades   HS2’s River Tame West Viaduct. The entire HS2 project has been subject to regular chopping and changing   The turn of the year is a good time for reflection, to step away...
My hopes and fears for the New Year

My hopes and fears for the New Year

  Will rail price itself out of existence? Will England’s bus users bulk at £3 fares? Will small businesses be squeezed out? We will see   Commemorative rail coin 1825-2025 (credit: The Royal Mint)   UK Rail, 1825-2025 2025 is the 200th anniversary of the railway in the UK, but could this be the year...
‘We’re blazing a trail for buses’

‘We’re blazing a trail for buses’

  Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham hails a landmark moment for buses in his city region   Bringing all buses in Greater Manchester under local control is a huge milestone – but it’s not a case of ‘job done’   Last week Greater Manchester became the first place in the country to take its bus...